Complete genome sequence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae type 2a strain 309, isolated in Japan.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae strain 309, a type 2a (subtype 2 variant) strain of this bacterium, has variations in the P1 protein, which is responsible for attachment of the bacterium to host cells. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of M. pneumoniae strain 309 isolated from a pneumonia patient in Japan.

One-step detection of the 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1) virus by the RT-SmartAmp assay and its clinical validation.

Background: In 2009, a pandemic (pdm) influenza A(H1N1) virus infection quickly circulated globally resulting in about 18,000 deaths around the world. In Japan, infected patients accounted for 16% of the total population. The possibility of human-to-human transmission of highly pathogenic novel influenza viruses is becoming a fear for human health and society.

Spread of a chromosomal cefixime-resistant penA gene among different Neisseria gonorrhoeae lineages.

In Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the mosaic type of penA, which encodes penicillin-binding protein 2 (PBP 2), is associated with reduced susceptibility to oral cephalosporins. To investigate the relatedness of N. gonorrhoeae clinical isolates with reduced susceptibility, we sequenced the penA genes of 32 isolates.

Three familial cases of drug-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection.

Unlabelled: Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection is believed to result from defective host immune response rather than from direct cell injury by the organism itself. In this context, emergence of drug-resistant M. pneumoniae may provide us with special opportunities to study the pathogenesis from a clinical point of view.

Genotyping analysis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae clinical strains in Japan between 1995 and 2005: type shift phenomenon of M. pneumoniae clinical strains.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae clinical isolates obtained between 1995 and 2005 were examined to determine the prevalent genotype. One hundred and twenty-seven strains isolated from bronchitis and pneumonia patients were genotyped by a PCR-RFLP method based on nucleotide sequence polymorphisms of the p1 gene, which encodes the major adhesin protein. The typing results established that 66 of the isolates were group I strains, 45 were group II strains and 16 were group II variants.

[Antibiotic susceptibility of Neisseria meningitidis from healthy and diseased persons in Japan].

We examined the susceptibilities of 100 Neisseria meningitidis strains isolated between 1990 and 2004 to 12 antimicrobial agents, finding the MIC50 to be 0.031 microg/mL and that of MIC90 of benzylpenicillin (PCG), a type of penicillin, to be 0.063 microg/mL.

Clinical evaluation of macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

Macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MR M. pneumoniae) has been isolated from clinical specimens in Japan since 2000. A comparative study was carried out to determine whether or not macrolides are effective in treating patients infected with MR M.

Characterization and molecular analysis of macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae clinical isolates obtained in Japan.

In recent years, Mycoplasma pneumoniae strains that are clinically resistant to macrolide antibiotics have occasionally been encountered in Japan. Of 76 strains of M. pneumoniae isolated in three different areas in Japan during 2000 to 2003, 13 strains were erythromycin (ERY) resistant.

Observation of CO(2) in Fourier transform infrared spectral measurements of living Acholeplasma laidlawii cells.

In monitoring the time course of conformational disorder by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy for intact Acholeplasma laidlawii cells grown at 37 degrees C on binary fatty acid mixtures containing oleic acid and for cells grown on pure palmitic acid, an absorption band at 2343 cm(-1) was observed. The band intensity was found to increase with time. This band was not observed in the spectra for isolated membranes.

Novel observation of hot-cold-hot hemolysis exhibited by group B streptococci.

Six human isolates of group B streptococci (GBS) were cultured on blood agar anaerobically at 37 degrees C for 18 h and then at 4 degrees C for 6 h and reincubated anaerobically at 37 degrees C for 6 h. Three of the strains showed a marked enlargement of the hemolysis zone compared with that obtained after hot-only (37 degrees C for 18 h) or hot-cold (37 degrees C for 18 h and then 4 degrees C for 6 h) treatment. Subsequent broth culture experiments revealed that enhanced hemolytic activity due to hot-cold-hot treatment was observed in all 6 GBS strains when cultured in the presence of starch.